The Fund for Children (FFC) was established as part of a lease agreement between the City of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Phillies baseball and Philadelphia Eagles football teams. The $2 million annual investment supports programs to improve the quality of life for children and youth in Philadelphia.
Fund For Children Strategic Investment in Youth Grants
FFC Strategic Investment in Youth grants provide general operating support for Philadelphia-based youth leadership development organizations that prioritize youth leadership, civic engagement and youth organizing activities and outcomes.
For nonprofits serving this population:
Youth from birth to 18 in Philadelphia
Priority given to:
Those able to demonstrate that at least 70% of those they serve are considered marginalized or historically disenfranchised.
Those with operating budgets under $5 million
Common requirements for all grant applicants:
Operating budget above $100,000.
501(c)(3) IRS determination letter for organization or fiscal sponsor
List of Board of Directors and their affiliations (or Advisory Board for fiscally sponsored groups)
Three years of financial data (e.g. audits, IRS Forms 990, etc.)
One Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Staff Person
Current PA Bureau of Charitable Organizations Certificate
All project/program staff and volunteer child abuse clearances must be up-to-date, including PA child abuse, criminal history and FBI fingerprinting.
Organizations cannot apply to both the Fund For Children and the Philadelphia Foundation’s other discretionary grantmaking within the same calendar years
Organizations receiving Discretionary Grants are still eligible for YOUTHadelphia grants
Strongly preferred:
Written, board-approved policies regarding whistle-blowing, conflict of interest, and document retention and destruction.
Interim or permanent executive leadership in place for at least three months.
Limited familial relationships among board and staff members.
Amounts of grants:
Grants range from $10,000 up to $50,000.
Types of projects funded:
Programs serving children and youth from birth to age 18.
Application deadline:
The Spring grant cycle is closed. The Fall grant cycle will open in late Summer
Download and complete the application.
YOUTHadelphia
YOUTHadelphia is the Youth Advisory Committee of the Philadelphia Foundation’s Fund for Children. Established in 2004 as part of the Fund for Children, this youth in philanthropy program’s mission is to give Philadelphia teens opportunities to build youth leadership through philanthropy and the donation of time, energy and resources.
YOUTHadelphia provides grants to youth-led programs and projects that support Philadelphia teens. Programming is for youth ages 14 to 18.
How To Join YOUTHadelphia
YOUTHadelphia gives Philadelphia teens the opportunity to build leadership skills through philanthropy and civic engagement.
**All applicants will be contacted by the Philadelphia Foundation to schedule an interview**
Additional information about YOUTHadelphia membership
Meetings are held Thursdays after school from September through May at the Philadelphia Foundation under the direction of an adult advisor. Dinner and tokens for transportation are provided for every meeting.
“I’d recommend YOUTHadelphia to anyone. You have a chance to build your public speaking, teamwork, organizational, critical thinking and analytical skills. And it helped me give to my community in an area where I felt it would help.” – D’Angelo Cameron
For Nonprofits Applying for YOUTHadelphia Grants
Priority is given to:
Applicants that demonstrate how the program/project is youth-led, largely devised and implemented by young people
Applicants at which at least 70% of the program/project participants served can be classified as low-income and as marginalized
Applicants with youth-led programs/projects serving low-income youth of color
Applicants with programs/projects that have a combination of social, emotional and/or political themes and content embedded in their curriculums
Amounts of grants:
Grants range from $5,000 to $10,000. The grant can be no more than 10% of the organizational budget.
Types of projects funded:
Philadelphia-based programs/projects serving youth aged 14 to 18 that engage participants in leadership activities.
Application deadline:
The next application window will open in early 2023.
